Ron Ron Ron

Meanwhile, TBM's Emily and Anne, have been blessed by a local priest, prior to setting off from Victoria Road, towards Greenford in the New Year. https://mediacentre.hs2.org.uk/news/in-pictures-hs2s-next-tunnel-blessed-by-priest-on-patron-saint-of-tunnellers-day Also, Dorothy is now in place at the Bromford Tunnel east portal, being readied for its launch in the new year. Dorothy is of course, the only HS2 Phase 1 TBM to be used to create multiple tunnel bores, the already completed twin bores at Long Itchington Woods and now the 2nd bore at Bromford. Dorothy can be seen at the beginning of this YouTube video....... .

Let's hope it is developed; ....and in a way that both widens the scope and functionality of what it can do and in terms of broadening the market. Failing to do so will see this potentially brilliant system, joining a long list of other brilliant technology products that met an early grave. That would be tragic in this case. .

I understand all that, but I think you've misunderstood my point. It's all well and good doing those things, but it's not the primary purpose of direct wireless systems, such as this Bluetooth based iteration. As a stand alone control option, HM7000 decoders would be required for all locos you would want to control on a layout, but for non-Hornby models, there is currently no sound option and the non-sound decoders are yet to appear. Until Hornby open up their system in some way, to facilitate the use of sound projects for non-Hornby models, then the market for HM7000/HM DCC is going to be restricted to those who only run Hornby trains, or as a fancy accessory for existing DCC systems. .

In terms of value, I've just had a look at competing, wireless DCC systems, at typical UK retail prices ( inc. discounts)…. Digitrax Evolution Xpress Duplex = £570 - £595 (the standard non-wireless version = £395 - £417) Gaugemaster (MRC) Prodigy Advance2 Wireless = Out of stock/not in production (non-wireless version = £395 - £465) Lenz Set 101 Wireless = £523 + (non-wireless Set 101 = £350 - £390) Digitrax Evolution Express Advanced - Duplex = £595 (non-wireless version £425) NCE PowerPro Wireless = £725 (not approved for use in the UK) (non-wireless PowerPro = £480 - £490) Roco Z21 with WiFi MultiMaus = £570 Further more, to be able use App control, on a phone or tablet (iPad etc), all the above, apart from the Roco Z21 and Bachmann Kinesis, require an additional WiFi electronic module, costing another £100 or more on top. With savings of anything from £180 to £385, the Kinesis with an r.r.p. of £395 (EDIT: ….and currently being listed at a pre- order price of £340 ) which includes RailController, does look to be very good value, before addressing that limited 2amp track output. .

I’m dubious that the H&M brand would have been useful, as apart from some old codgers like us, the name isn’t recognised or known. It’s effectively a dead brand. Your idea of how to open up the market is interesting though. If Hornby don’t (at some time) start offering sound profiles for models they don’t produce themselves, then once the “novelty’” of the HM7000 has passed, the product will have no traction whatsoever and will probably wither away. The whole point of a direct wireless DCC system, is to remove the need for most of the physical hardware, so having to rely on half Bluetooth and half operating via a regular DCC system, defeats this basic objective. It should be a means for someone starting out, or converting to DCC, to do so relatively cheaply and without the need to buy expensive electronic hardware. I would have thought that existing DCC users, already with their DCC systems, are not the primary target audience. Hornby need to fully understand and work out this conundrum and find a way to progress this potentially valuable asset to a wider market. .

Here are the instructions for the No. 86112 point motor, with various wiring diagrams…. (Language in German first, followed by English) https://www.tillig.com/dateien/Produkte/TTModellbahnen/Zubehör/Elektrik/86112_ Mot_ Weichenantrieb_2010_06_04_S1-6.pdf .

Calvert Station railway bridge has finally been demolished, with clearance of the rest of the road embankment to follow shortly. .

A little bit of info is now on the Bachmann web site.... https://news.Bachmann.co.uk/2023/11/Bachmann-kinesis-model-railway-control-redefined/?utm_source=Bachmann+Europe+Railway+Newsletter&utm_campaign=7e678110b2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_rail-arrivals-31-07-23_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b9dcd9c565-7e678110b2-465733694 "Built around Bachmann’s RailController computer control software, the Kinesis system provides control via PC, App or the wireless Kinesis Edge Handset. The Kinesis Wireless DCC System Starter Pack will be released in 2024 with a Recommend Retail Price of £399.95. Each Starter Pack includes a Kinesis Hub DCC Base Station, a Kinesis Edge Wireless Handset and a full licensed copy of RailController software, allowing users to operate their model railway with DCC via PC, App or with the Edge Handset, or with any combination of these – with operation synchronised across all devices so that multiple devices can be used simultaneously. The Hub DCC Base Station is central to the Kinesis system, with 2.4GHz wireless capability and built-in Wi-Fi and USB connectivity. The Hub provides outputs to the main track and programming track and can be connected to a PC running RailController." "Whilst the Edge and Hub can be used together as a standalone system, connect the Hub to a PC running RailController software and the Edge handset becomes even more versatile. Sophisticated programs can be written using RailController and activated using the Edge, and locomotives, points and accessories can be downloaded from RailController and accessed instantly from the Edge handset. With a range of up to 50 Metres, the wireless handset provides up to 12 hours of use and is chargeable via the USB port, with an optional charging dock available separately. Up to five Edge handsets can be used with one Hub Base Station and additional handsets will be available to purchase separately.". .

Some early production of certain EV’s, such as the VW ID3, had a fault, that meant their 12v battery was draining overnight, resulting in the car’s electronic control systems not being able to correctly function, or boot up properly. It’s a known issue that 12v lead acid batteries are not good enough and some manufacturers are beginning to ditch them in favour of 48v battery and electrical systems in both EV’s and mild-hybrid ICE powered cars. .

It's a long watch, if you can be bothered.... A helicopter flight along HS2 Phase 1, from the south portal of the Long Itchington tunnel, to ... 1st - where the eastern spur should have branched off 2nd - to Curzon St. and back to the Delta Junction 3rd - to Handsacre, passing the place where Phase 2A should be branching off. Note that this video is from early September, three months ago, so observed progress will be out of date by now. https://vimeo.com/871804177/7f2d70d783?utm_campaign=5370367&utm_source=affiliate&utm_channel=affiliate&cjevent=c6e3c983906411ee82ca01120a18b8f8&clickid=c6e3c983906411ee82ca01120a18b8f8 .

Hornby acquired ownership of all the tooling when it purchased the bankrupt Lima group.....and, IIRC most of it was sent off to China. ViTrains (Vi as in Vicenza, hence pronounced, Vitt-rains) was formed by former Lima managers and staff, after that company's collapse.. It's a matter of conjecture how, so quickly after setting up the new business, they were able to roll out a number of new models, two of which were the British outline Class 37 and a bit later, the Class 47. The unproved speculation was a that a number of new projects in the Lima pipeline, had somehow disappeared without trace by the time of the Hornby takeover. Conspiracy theory or unfounded rumour ? Whatever, they are still going strong ................(incidentally, ViTrains is also the Italian distributor for Peco and ESU) https://www.vitrains.it .

Are you only thinking of Lima’s British outline product line? That was only one arm of Lima overall catalogue. Lima produced much better models for their larger Continental markets and already owned most of what became Hornby International’s brands. These brands were acquired through Hornby’s purchase of the Lima group.

Sorry Phil, yes it was a Wednesday now you’ve pointed that out and not Monday. Fuzzy brain… and it was only 2 weeks ago ….Mmmmm? .

Have you considered converting the old Rover to EV power? 😇 🤣 p.s. the Lizards made me type that….. .

This must be my nearest model shop, but on the only 3 occasions I’ve had to go into Eastleigh, over the last few years, they were closed (e.g. during early post Covid limited opening hours and a couple of weeks ago on a Monday). I’ve had good reports, so really should make the effort to get over there again. .

East West Rail crossing over HS2 at Calvert. The bridgework and trackbed is complete. Looking West. EW Rail towards Bicester and Oxford. (Note the new bridge being built in the top right hand corner of the photo....more later) EW Rail looking West towards Bicester and Oxford. Note the old and new alignments of Gawcott Rd. The new under bridge is now in use and the old brick road bridge has been demolished to make way for the new railway embankment. A view looking north along the new alignment of Gawcott Rd. In the distance you can see the new bridge being built to take this road over HS2. You can see where the road will be diverted onto a new alignment towards this bridge. Looking NW. Here is that new bridge that will take the road over HS2...... .

The 755/756 example looked far more impressive, up close “in the flesh”, than the photos do it justice. A shame about the horrendous, massively over scale window surrounds though.

A couple of other questions I didn’t ask…… RailCom? There was no mention of whether the system was RailCom enabled. [EDIT:] Bachmann have since confirmed there is no RailCom or RailCom Plus capability Booster connection? Does the Hub have a dedicated output for connecting boosters, either a NMRA standard Power Station Interface (C, D, E connections), or a proprietary booster bus connection? ….or will any booster only be able to take its input from the track output of the Hub? .

The basic system sold is everything……….the Hub base station, the Edge wireless handset, the RailController software (full fat edition) with lifetime updates and support, plus use of the free app (both Android and iOS versions). It’s a complete package. The only extra you may want at launch, is an additional booster, if your layout demands require it. Any dumb booster will work, but a high output Kinesis booster is in development, we are told. What will it allow? Everything the system is capable of, from running trains, layout control of routes and signals, control of other DCC activated accessories, operation of user programmed operational sequences (e.g. shuttle operations, setting route sequences etc,) sequential control of sets of multi-aspect signals, CV programming inc. POM etc. There is a dedicated programming track output. It looks like you will need to be running RailController to set up the layout diagrams, but signals, points and route control, using an interactive track diagram can also be done via the app. Simply physically rotating your smartphone or tablet from portrait to landscape orientation, automatically switches the display from throttle to layout diagram mode. Rotate it back and the app flips straight back to throttle mode. .

They had a WiFi router in the presentation area ( Kinesis Theatre). It was positioned on top of the wall, above the presentation screens. The tech chap giving the first presentation on Saturday morning, pointed it out when describing how the various elements of the system communicated with each other…….WiFi clearly involved. .

I spotted my first Smart #1 yesterday.

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Thank you, that's very informative. However, note that the BlueRail Trains and Blunami apps have had multiple consisting built-in from the get go, as does the WiFi based WiFiTrax app operated system. The fact that consisting wasn't embedded in the first public release iteration of the HM DCC app, is a glaring omission. The North American requirement for consisting is obviously very different to that with the British prototype, however the requirement still exists. Here's a Blunami tutorial...... .

On the face of it, it would seem like a protective, competitive position; but in reality a silo approach will spell the demise of HM7000 as a dead end niche. That’s the dilemma that Hornby will have to weigh up. .